A major power outage has left around 45,000 households and more than 2,200 commercial customers without electricity in southwest Berlin since Saturday morning, as winter weather compounds disruption across the German capital.

According to the local grid operator Stromnetz Berlin, the blackout was triggered by a fire on a cable bridge over the Teltow Canal, which damaged multiple high-voltage power cables supplying the area. The outage has affected the neighborhoods of Nikolassee, Zehlendorf, Wannsee, and Lichterfelde.

The fire has since been extinguished, but emergency services, including police and firefighters, remain deployed at the scene as part of a large-scale operation. German media reported that authorities are investigating the incident as suspected arson, though no official conclusion has yet been announced.

Stromnetz Berlin warned that repairs are complex and time-consuming due to the extent of the damage and the location of the affected infrastructure. In a statement published on its website, the operator said that full power restoration may not be completed until Thursday afternoon, although partial restoration could occur earlier in some areas.

The outage has disrupted daily life for residents and businesses, with reports of heating systems, traffic signals, and local services being affected, particularly concerning amid cold winter conditions. Local authorities said contingency measures are being implemented, including increased police presence to manage traffic and support vulnerable residents.

Berlin’s city administration urged affected residents to limit electricity use once power is restored to prevent further strain on the grid and advised businesses to follow safety protocols. Emergency hotlines remain operational, and residents have been encouraged to check official updates from Stromnetz Berlin for the latest information.

The incident has once again raised concerns about the resilience of urban energy infrastructure, especially during extreme weather conditions. Experts note that aging power networks and critical infrastructure vulnerabilities require continued investment to prevent large-scale outages in the future. (ILKHA)